Dolphins CB Sean Smith guarantees he will make an interception, live up to the hype in 2010

Sean Smith filled up the stat sheet in every area but one in his rookie season -- interceptions / Post File Photo

Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith had a terrific rookie season in 2009, by all accounts.

Just the 10th defensive player in franchise history to start all 16 games as a rookie, Smith, a second-round pick out of Utah, had 39 tackles, 12 passes defensed and was 16th-best in the league in “burn percentage,” allowing a reception on just 47.9 percent of passes thrown his way.

But when Smith looks at his stat line from 2009, he only sees one number staring right in his face, almost mocking him – a big fat zero, the number of interceptions he had.

“I guarantee that number will change,” Smith said Friday after the team’s first day of mini-camp. “No way I will go another season without an interception. That’s just impossible.”

Smith doesn’t have a sour taste in his mouth about his rookie season, but he knows there is room for improvement.

“I don’t think there was a game where I ever felt that I was just getting my butt whipped all game,” he said. “Even though I didn’t have any interceptions, my play was above average for a rookie.”

Interceptions had always come naturally to Smith, a 6-foot-3 cornerback who turns 23 in July. He had four interceptions his first year at cornerback in 2007 at Utah, and five more as a senior in 2008. The interceptions kept coming in last year’s preseason, with Smith nabbing one in the exhibition opener against Jacksonville and another one against New Orleans.

And then ….. nothing.

“I got two in preseason, I’m like, ‘OK, just going to keep rolling,'” Smith said. “Then you get in the game when it really counts, you’re like wow, you don’t want to be that guy that messes up.”

Smith made a ridiculous interception in the Dolphins' final preseason game, but was shut out in the regular season / Getty Images

Smith quickly learned the stakes are much higher in the NFL than in college, and he was hesitant to gamble for interceptions.

“We were in some close, close games, and I’m like, ‘If I gamble one time and I get beat, no way I can go back to that sideline, bearing that on my shoulders,'” Smith said. “But you can’t play like that. That comes with preparation, watching film, and knowing when to take those chances.”

That was one of several important lessons Smith learned in his rookie season. Another, he said, was how to take care of his body to last through the pounding of a 16-game season (20 when you include the preseason). Smith said he finally felt completely healed from last season “like the day before (the media) comes here” for the start of OTAs two weeks ago.

“I finally get one good day when I feel 100 percent, and then I come right back,” he joked.

All kidding aside, Smith learned that getting massages, taking ice baths and watching what he eats are crucial for maintaining a high level of performance throughout the season.

“Last season was brutal. Sixteen games is completely different than college,” Smith said. “I see guys getting in the ice tub the first couple weeks and I’m like, ‘I don’t really need it. I’m fresh, I’m good.’ But now I’m in there, icing up every day.”

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said he has noticed a difference in Smith during these offseason workouts – in both conditioning and confidence.

“He’s gained a little bit more muscle mass. He’s feeling a little bit stronger, and I’ve noticed a little bit of difference in his burst right now,” Sparano said. “He had an interception in practice the other day, got his hands on a few footballs, so you know, he’s kind of back to doing those type of things.”

Smith said he feels “a lot more comfortable” this year, even as he has to learn a new defense under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.

“I’m more vocal, I’m able to disguise things, I’m starting to feel like a real vet, you know what I mean?” he said. “I got the rookies asking me what to do. It feels good to be able to give advice as opposed to asking all the time.”

Smith also learned that he and fellow second-year cornerback Vontae Davis are going to be marked men this year. Carolina Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who had just three catches for 27 yards last year against the Dolphins, went on NFL Network two weeks ago and called them the best cornerback tandem in the NFL, comparing them to legendary cornerbacks Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain and saying Davis and Smith “bring a lot of swagger.”

Smith certainly brings the swagger – he has the word “Greatness” tattooed in cursive writing on his right forearm. He got it after securing two interceptions against Wyoming in 2008.

“I got it as self motivation,” Smith said. “It lets me know, yeah it’s tattooed on me, I have to go out there and perform.”

Smith better perform at the team’s remaining Organized Team Activities and throughout training camp in August, because he’s no lock to be a starter this year. Davis, Smith and veteran Will Allen are all competing for two spots, and someone has to be the odd man out, though all three will get plenty of opportunities in nickel and dime packages.

“We all want to start. No one wants to sit on the bench,” Smith said. “So I’m going work my best and hardest to get out there, try to start again.”

And, soon rather than later, erase that goose egg in the interception column.

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